Methods for designing an antenna using an oversized antenna flex

Abstract

This is directed to an antenna for use in an electronic device. The antenna can be constructed from a flex and printed trace, such that the flex is originally defined to be as large or nearly as large as possible to fit within portion of the electronic device dedicated to the antenna. This can allow the antenna trace to vary as the antenna is tuned without requiring a new flex having a different shape. In addition, this can allow the antenna design to be decoupled from the mechanical considerations related to mounting the antenna within the electronic device.

1. A method for designing an antenna, comprising:
 determining a space in an electronic device that is dedicated to the antenna; 
 defining a largest possible flex having the largest possible size and shape for use as part of the antenna that fits in the determined space; 
 cutting a flex that is substantially the size and shape of the defined flex; 
 drawing an antenna trace from a conductive material on the cut flex; 
 testing the drawn antenna trace; 
 determining that the drawn antenna trace is inadequate; and 
 revising the antenna trace on a new flex having the same shape as the initial flex. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 designing a mount to be placed in the determined space; and 
 wherein defining the largest possible flex comprises defining the largest possible flex that can be coupled to the designed mount. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 defining at least one path in the mount for receiving the flex. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 drawing a plurality of different trace patterns on a respective plurality of new flexes, wherein each of the plurality of different trace patterns fits within the boundaries of the largest possible flex. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein: a portion of the flex is not used as part of the antenna. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein: cutting the flex further comprises cutting a flex that is the size and shape of the defined flex. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein revising the antenna trace further comprises changing the number of waves in a trace wave pattern. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein revising the antenna trace further comprises changing the length of a trace loop. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein revising the antenna trace further comprises changing at least one of the amplitude and the frequency of a wave in a trace wave pattern. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein drawing an antenna trace further comprises drawing at least two types of trace patterns. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least two types of trace patterns comprise loops and waves.